KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for an additional three months.
In a meeting held on Monday, all 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the short-term extension.
Previously, UNAMA’s mandate in Afghanistan had been renewed annually. This year, however, the mission has been extended only until June 17, following opposition from the United States.
Prior to the vote, Security Council members had disagreed over the length of the mandate’s renewal. China, which serves as the Council’s penholder on Afghanistan, initially proposed extending UNAMA’s mandate for one year, a plan reportedly supported by most Council members. However, the United States pushed for a shorter, three-month extension, arguing that the Council needed time to review the mission’s mandate and assess its effectiveness given Afghanistan’s complex political and security situation. After several rounds of consultations, members reached a compromise on a three-month extension.
The U.S. delegation to the UN argued that UNAMA is one of the most costly political missions of the organization and operates in a complex environment. They stressed that a review is needed to determine whether the current mission remains appropriate and feasible.
According to the U.S. delegation, the three-month extension provides an opportunity to engage with all stakeholders and adapt the mission to current conditions.
Nevertheless, some Security Council members expressed concern that a short-term extension could weaken UNAMA’s position and influence in Afghanistan.
